Pillow

ABSTRACT

A pillow containing particulate material such as beads or balls (a “bean pillow”), which is particularly suitable for use during travel. The pillow comprises two wings, and a bridging section connecting the wings, the wings and bridging section together forming a substantial U shaped shape in plan view. The surface of each wing is formed of a surface material, and at least the wings contain particulate material to provide support for the surface material. The thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings. In one embodiment, the bridging section comprises a cushion containing a material different from the particulate material. In another embodiment, the bridging section comprises a cushion, and the cushion does not comprise or contain the or a particulate material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention:

The present invention provides a pillow containing particulate material such as beads or balls (a “bean pillow”), which is particularly suitable for use during travel.

2. Description of the Related Art:

Pillows are known that are particularly suitable for use during travel. Such pillows often are substantially U-shaped in plan view so that the pillow can be wrapped around the back and sides of the neck of the user to support the user's head. Some such pillows are inflatable. Another such pillow, which is sold by the applicant for this patent application, is substantially U-shaped in plan view and contains beads or balls (i.e. is a “bean pillow”). This bean pillow has the advantage that it does not require inflation before use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide an improved pillow with respect to the known pillows referred to above.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a pillow, the pillow comprising two wings, and a bridging section connecting the wings, wherein the wings and bridging section together form a substantially U shaped shape in plan view, and the surface of each wing is formed of a surface material, and at least the wings contain particulate material to provide support for the surface material, wherein the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings, and wherein the bridging section comprises a cushion containing a material different from the particulate material.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a pillow, the pillow comprising two wings, and a bridging section connecting the wings, wherein the wings and bridging section together form a substantially U shaped shape in plan view, and the surface of each wing is formed of a surface material, and at least the wings contain particulate material to provide support for the surface material, wherein the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings, wherein the bridging section comprises a cushion, and wherein the cushion does not comprise or contain the or a particulate material.

The fact that the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings means that the bridging section can be folded and the wings brought together more easily in comparison with known pillows in which the thickness of the bridging section is equal to or greater than the thickness of the wings. The folded pillow is also less bulky than known pillows when folded, and thus takes up a smaller space in the user's luggage.

The pillow of the present invention is intended to be worn around the neck of the user, with the bridging section behind the neck and a wing on each side of the neck, so that the front portion of the neck is open. The bridging section provides support for the back of the user's head and the wings provide support for the side of the head.

The fact that the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings does not detract from the comfort of the user when using the pillow, and in fact increases the user's comfort because the smaller thickness of the bridging section does not force the user's head so far away from the surface on which the pillow is resting. Hence the user's neck can be held in a straighter position when the pillow is being used.

In this specification the term “thickness” refers to the height dimension when the pillow is viewed in plan view and the wings and bridging section form a substantially U shaped shape. This dimension is in the direction perpendicular to the surface on which the pillow is resting in normal use. The thinnest part, correspondingly, is the thinnest in the same height dimension.

The provision of two wings separated by a bridging section which is shaped so that the particulate material either does not pass through the bridging section at all or is restricted in passing through the bridging section might present problems in manufacture as the step of filling the wings with particulate material will be either slowed down or must take place in two steps. The present inventors have discovered that the filling step is surprisingly efficient or can be carried out in two separate steps relatively easily by suitable manufacturing steps, such as filling the wings near the bridging section.

The surface of the wings is preferably, but not necessarily, formed of the same material as the surface of the bridging section.

Preferably, the wings are filled with the particulate material. Preferably, the bridging section or part of the bridging section is filled with the particulate material.

Preferably, the two wings form a pair of wings. A pair of wings provides equal support for each side of the user's head.

Preferably, the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings. This provides that the bridging section is easier to fold at each point between the wings in comparison with known pillows in which the thickness of the bridging section is equal to or greater than the thickness of the wings.

Preferably, the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 60 mm to 120 mm, more preferably from 70 mm to 110 mm, even more preferably from 80 mm to 100 mm, and most preferably from 85 mm to 95 mm.

Preferably, the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section is from 5 mm to 15 mm, more preferably 7 mm to 13 mm and most preferably from 8 mm to 12 mm.

Preferably, the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section is from 50 mm to 90 mm, more preferably 60 mm to 80 mm, and most preferably 65 mm to 75 mm.

Preferably, the ratio of the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 1:4 to 1:24, more preferably from 1:4 to 1:14, more preferably from 1:6 to 1:12, more preferably from 1:8 to 1:12, most preferably from 1:8 to 1:10.

Preferably, the ratio of the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 1:0.6 to 1:2.5, more preferably from 1:0.9 to 1:2, more preferably from 1:1 to 1:1.5, more preferably from 1:1.1 to 1:1.5, most preferably from 1:1.2 to 1:1.4.

Preferably, the ratio of the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section is from 1:3 to 1:18, more preferably from 1:4 to 1:12, more preferably from 1:4 to 1:9, more preferably from 1:5 to 1:9, more preferably from 1:5 to 1:8, most preferably from 1:6 to 1:8.

Preferably, the thinnest portion of the bridging section is equidistant from each wing. As a result, the bridging section is easiest to fold at a point equidistant from each wing and so the pillow can be folded into a particularly small arrangement.

The bridging section may comprise one or more channels containing the particulate material and extending between the wings. One such channel may be provided on the outer edge of the bridging section. One such channel may be provided on the inner edge of the bridging section.

Preferably, the bridging section comprises a cushion preferably containing a material different from the particulate material. Preferably, the cushion is defined by stitching in the surface material of the bridging section.

Preferably, the material of the cushion is a foam material. Preferably, the foam material is provided inside the bridging section. Preferably, the foam material is held in place by stitching. Preferably, the stitching joins a surface of the bridging section to an opposing surface of the bridging section.

Preferably, the cushion or foam material is substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal in plan view.

Preferably, the cushion forms a head zone.

Preferably, the bridging section has an axis extending between the wings, and the longer sides of the substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal shape are substantially parallel to the axis of the bridging section. This provides a wide cushion to support the head of the user.

Preferably, the difference in thickness between the thinnest portion of the bridging section and the thickest portion of the wings is from 70 mm to 110 mm, more preferably 80 mm to 100 mm, most preferably 85 mm to 95 mm. Such differences in thickness provide a particularly advantageous balance of allowing the pillow to be folded easily while providing sufficient support for the back of the user's head.

Preferably, each wing has a free end located away from a point where each respective wing is connected to the bridging section, and the distance between the wings at the point that each wing is connected to the bridging section is larger than the distance between the wings at a point adjacent to the free end of each wing. This means that the wings wrap more closely around the neck and thereby provide closer support for the sides of the user's head.

Preferably, at least part of the bridging section contains the or a particulate material. Alternatively, at least part of the bridging section does not contain the or a particulate material.

Preferably, the bridging section comprises a restriction for restricting the amount of particulate material in the bridging section, to restrict the thickness of the bridging section.

Preferably, the restriction comprises stitching joining a surface of the bridging section to an opposing surface of the bridging section. The stitching restricts the size of the space formed by the opposing surfaces of the bridging section. There is preferably at least one line of stitching located within the edge of the bridging section, preferably at least two lines of stitching.

Preferably, the restriction comprises padding or a cushion provided in the bridging section.

Preferably, the surface of the bridging section is formed of a surface material, and the particulate material in the bridging section provides support for the surface material.

Preferably, the bridging section contains material other than the particulate material. Preferably, the pillow further comprises a loop attached to one of the wings and a fastener attached to the other, the fastener being receivable in the loop to fasten the wings together. Preferably, the fastener comprises a button or toggle.

Preferably, the surface of the bridging section is formed from a separate piece of material from the surface of the wings.

Preferably, the surface material of the wings and/or bridging section comprises a stretchy or elastic material or fabric, for example Lycra®.

Preferably, the surface material of the wings and/or bridging section is formed of plurality of layers, and preferably one or more of the layers comprises a stretchy or elastic material, for example Lycra®.

Preferably, the surface of the bridging section or wings is formed from a plurality of, preferably two, pieces of material stitched together to form a seam.

Preferably, the particulate material comprises beads, balls, beans, buckwheat, oats or any combination thereof. The particulate material may comprise pieces of memory foam. Preferably the particulate material comprises beads, balls or beans.

Preferably, the cushion contains a substance different from the particulate material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pillow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the pillow of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the pillow of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the pillow of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is front view of the pillow of FIG. 1 showing the detail of the bridging section;

FIG. 6 is right side view of the pillow of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the pillow of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout this specification, the pillow is described its unloaded state, i.e., when the pillow has not been manipulated, loaded or molded by the user.

Referring to FIG. 1, a pillow 10 is provided comprising a pair of wings 12, and a bridging section 14 connecting the wings 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the wings 12 and bridging section 14 together form a substantially U shaped shape in plan view. The surface of the wings 12 and bridging section 14 is formed of a surface material, and the wings 12 and bridging section 14 contain beads in this embodiment (or other particulate material such as balls or beans or any combination thereof in other embodiments) to provide support for the surface material. The thickness (or depth—the dimension in the direction away from the viewer in FIG. 1) of the thinnest portion of the bridging section 14 is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings 12. This is most clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the present embodiment, the bridging section 14 comprises a cushion 16 containing a foam material. In the present embodiment, the cushion has a constant thickness of approximately 10 mm. In the present embodiment, the cushion 16 provides the thinnest portion of the bridging section 14, but in other embodiments the thinnest portion may be provided elsewhere.

In other embodiments, the bridging section 14 does not contain the particulate material, and so the surface of the bridging section 14 is not supported by the particulate material.

The cushion 16 forms a head zone to support the user's head. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings 12 is shown by arrows X. The thickness of a portion of the bridging section 14 is shown by arrows Y. However, it is not possible to see the thickness of the cushion 16 in FIGS. 2 and 3 and so it is not possible to see the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section 14 in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In FIG. 1 the wings 12 are divided from the bridging section 14 by stitching 28. However, the wings 12 and bridging section 14 may be divided differently, for example the wings 12 may extend further into the bridging section 14.

In this embodiment, the thickest portion of the wings 12 (which has the same thickness in each wing 12) is approximately halfway between the free end 22 of each wing 12 and the outer edge of the bridging section 14, but the invention is not limited to this.

In addition, in the present embodiment the thinnest portion of the bridging section 14 is equidistant from each wing 12. This is because the center line CL of the pillow 10 shown in FIG. 1, which is equidistant from each wing 12, passes through the cushion 16. The pillow 10 is axisymmetric about the center line CL.

Referring to FIG. 2, the surface of the bridging section 14 is formed from two separate pieces of material 30, 32 stitched together to form a seam on line of stitching 34 (preferably horizontal) around the middle in the depth direction of the bridging section 14. Similarly, the surface of each wing 12 is formed from two separate pieces of material 36, 38 stitched together to form a seam 40 (preferably horizontal) around the middle in the depth direction of each wing 12. Lycra® (elastane) is used as the material for the surface of the bridging section 14 and the wings 12 in this embodiment, but the invention is not limited to this, and other fabrics instead may be used. However, Lycra® provides a stretchy material that allows the pillow 10 to be easily moulded for the user, but other stretchy materials may be used.

In addition, in the embodiment where the bridging section 14 does not contain the particulate material, the surface of the bridging section 14 need not be formed of a fabric such as Lycra®.

An additional, inner layer of material, for example Lycra®, may be provided in the bridging section 14 and/or each of the wings 12. The or each additional layer may be stitched to the or each respective outer layer of the bridging section 14 and/or the wings 12.

During filling of the pillow 10, a tube is inserted into a small hole left in the seam and beads are pumped along the tube at high pressure to fill the pillow 10. After filling the hole in the seam is immediately sewn up. The filling with beads typically takes under 3 second to complete because there are no internal walls inside the pillow 10 to slow down the filling. Internal walls would present a serious impediment to filling of a pillow with beads. Such internal walls would also significantly reduce the effectiveness of the product as a pillow because the beads must be allowed to move freely throughout the pillow in order to achieve a moulded comfortable fit specifically for the user. This is different from known inflatable pillows, which are suitable for use during travel but contain such internal walls in order to ensure proper inflation.

In other embodiments where the bridging section 14 does not contain particulate material, care must be taken as the two wings must be filled with beads separately, either sequentially, or simultaneously for example by two operatives or in two operations. For example, the tube may be passed through the inside of the bridging section 14 to fill a far wing 12 before or after the near wing 12 has been filled.

Care must also be taken when filling the bridging section 14 when the bridging section 14 contains particulate material because the restriction for restricting the amount of particulate material in the bridging section may make filling the bridging section 14 difficult. The restriction may also make passing the tube through the bridging section 14 difficult.

Such known inflatable pillows typically are fabricated from weldable fabrics that are welded by heat sealing. Such fabrics are welded together while the pillow is flat and deflated on a press.

Preferably, the beads are polystyrene.

A loop 18, and a button 20 on a flap of material, are provided on the outer edges of respective wings 12. The loop 18 and a button 20 are provided approximately halfway between the free end 22 of each wing 12 and the outer edge of the bridging section 14. When the pillow 10 is folded about the center line CL the button 20 can be received in the loop 18 to fasten the wings 12 together and to retain the pillow 10 in the folded position.

In this embodiment the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is approximately 90 mm. In addition, in this embodiment the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section 14 is approximately 70 mm. The thickest portion of the bridging section 14 is provided at the two points that the bridging section 14 connects to each wing 12. This is best shown in FIG. 2.

In this embodiment, the ratio of the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is approximately 1:9.

In this embodiment, the ratio of the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is approximately 1:1.3.

In this embodiment, the ratio of the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section is approximately 1:7.

In the present embodiment, the bridging section 14 comprises two channels 24, 26 containing beads and extending between the wings 12. One channel 24 is provided on the outer edge of the bridging section 14 (the upper edge as shown in FIG. 1). The other channel 26 is provided on the inner edge of the bridging section 14 (the lower edge as shown in FIG. 1). The channels 24, 26 allow beads to pass between the ends of the bridging section 14, and between the wings 12, past the cushion 16.

The cushion 16 is defined by stitching in the surface material of the bridging section 14. The foam material of the cushion is substantially trapezoidal in plan view and the stitching surrounds the foam material to maintain the foam material in position. Other material may be used instead of foam material.

In this embodiment, the stitching defining the cushion 16 and the foam material of the cushion 16 provides a restriction for restricting the amount of particulate material in the bridging section 14, to restrict the thickness of the bridging section 16. The stitching defining the cushion 16 joins the lower surface of the bridging section 14 to the upper, opposing surface of the bridging section 14. The stitching restricts the size of the space formed by these opposing surfaces of the bridging section 14. In addition, the foam material takes up space in the bridging section 14 that would otherwise be occupied by the particulate material.

The bridging section 14 has an axis extending between the wings 12 (in this embodiment substantially parallel with the straight section of the outer edge of the bridging section 14), and the longer sides of the substantially trapezoidal shape of the cushion 16 are substantially parallel to the axis of the bridging section 14. This provides a wide cushion to support the head of the user.

In use of the pillow 10 the user places the bridging section 14 behind the head of the user and the user wraps the wings 12 around the neck of the user. The pillow 10 is then placed upon a surface and the bridging section 14 provides support for the back of the user's head and the wings 12 provide support for the sides of the user's head.

In this embodiment, the difference in thickness between the thinnest portion of the bridging section 14 (at the center line CL) and the thickest portion of the wings 12 is approximately 80 mm.

The free end 22 of each wing 12 is provided away from a point that each respective wing 12 is connected to the bridging section 14. The distance between the wings 12 at the point that each wing 12 is connected to the bridging section 14 is larger than the distance between the wings 12 at a point adjacent to the free end 22 of each wing 12. This is clearly shown in FIG. 1 where the wings 12 are closer at their free ends 22 than at their other ends where they connect to the bridging section 14.

It can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 that the central portion of the bridging section 14, i.e. the portion adjacent to the center line CL is considerably thinner than the thickest portion of the wings 12.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the detail of the bridging section 14 and it can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5 that the upper surface of the cushion 16 is below the highest point of the rest of the bridging section 14, in particular is below the highest point of channels 24 and 26. The pillow 10 is symmetrical about a horizontal plane and, in this embodiment, about the seam 34 of the bridging section 14 and the seam 40 of each wing 12. Therefore, the lower (underside) surface (not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) of the cushion 16 is above the lowest point of the rest of the bridging section 14, in particular is above the lowest point of channels 24 and 26. As a result, the cushion 16 provides the thinnest portion of the bridging section 14 in this embodiment, but in other embodiments the thinnest portion may be provided elsewhere, for example in the channel 24 and/or 26.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings 12 is shown by arrows X. FIGS. 6 and 7 show that, in this embodiment, the thickest portion of the wings 12 (which has the same thickness in each wing 12) is approximately halfway between the free end 22 of each wing 12 and the outer edge of the bridging section 14, but the invention is not limited to this.

The loop 18 and/or the button 20 is/are provided respectively on the seam 40 of each wing 12 i.e. approximately in the middle in the depth direction of each wing 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the bridging section 14 curves (when viewed in plan; towards the bottom in FIG. 1) from where it connects to each wing 12 to a substantially flat section comprising the cushion 16 and the channels 24 and 26. In other embodiments, the cushion may not be provided; instead, for example, a single channel may extend between the wings 12.

In this embodiment, the width of a portion of the wings 12 (when viewed in plan) is substantially the same as the width of a portion of the bridging section 14. The width of each wing 12 is the distance between the outer edge of the wing 12 and the inner edge of the wing 12 with reference to the pillow 10 shown in FIG. 1. The width of the bridging section 14 is the distance between the outer edge and the inner edge.

In this embodiment, the width of the wings 12 and bridging section is from 120 mm to 140 mm. The maximum width of the bridging section 14 is approximately 140 mm and the minimum width of the bridging section 14 is approximately 120 mm. In this embodiment, the minimum width of the bridging section 14 is at the center line CL.

In this embodiment, the longer dimension of the substantially trapezoidal cushion 16, which is substantially parallel with the longer side, is approximately 120 mm. The shorter dimension of the substantially trapezoidal cushion 16, which is substantially parallel with the shorter side, is approximately 80 mm.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described purely by way of example, and various modifications, additions and/or omissions will present themselves to one skilled in the art, all of which form part of the invention, together with their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pillow comprising: two wings, and a bridging section connecting the wings, wherein the wings and bridging section together form a substantially U shaped shape in plan view, and the surface of each wing is formed of a surface material, and at least the wings contain particulate material to provide support for the surface material, wherein the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings, and wherein the bridging section comprises a cushion containing a material different from the particulate material.
 2. A pillow comprising: two wings, and a bridging section connecting the wings, wherein the wings and bridging section together form a substantially U shaped shape in plan view, and the surface of each wing is formed of a surface material, and at least the wings contain particulate material to provide support for the surface material, wherein the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings, wherein the bridging section comprises a cushion, and wherein the cushion does not comprise or contain the or a particulate material.
 3. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing.
 4. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 60 mm to 120 mm.
 5. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section is from 5 mm to 15 mm.
 6. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section is from 50 mm to 90 mm.
 7. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 1:4 to 1:24.
 8. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 1:6 to 1:12.
 9. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 1:0.8 to 1:4.
 10. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 1:1.1 to 1:1.5.
 11. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section is from 1:3 to 1:18.
 12. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section is from 1:5 to 1:9.
 13. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the surface material of the wings and/or bridging section comprises fabric.
 14. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the material of the cushion is a foam material.
 15. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the cushion is defined by stitching in the surface material of the bridging section.
 16. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the cushion is substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal in plan view.
 17. A pillow according to claim 16, wherein bridging section has an axis extending between the wings, and the longer sides of the substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal shape are substantially parallel to the axis of the bridging section.
 18. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the difference in thickness between the thinnest portion of the bridging section and the thickest portion of the wings is from 45 mm to 115 mm.
 19. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein each wing has a free end located away from a point where each respective wing is connected to the bridging section, and the distance between the wings at the point that each wing is connected to the bridging section is larger than the distance between the wings at a point adjacent to the free end of each wing.
 20. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the bridging section contains the or a particulate material.
 21. A pillow according to claim 20, wherein the bridging section comprises a restriction for restricting the amount of particulate material in the bridging section, to restrict the thickness of the bridging section.
 22. A pillow according to claim 21, wherein the means comprises stitching joining a surface of the bridging section to an opposing surface of the bridging section.
 23. A pillow according to claim 21, wherein the means comprises padding or cushion provided in the bridging section.
 24. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the bridging section does not contain the or a particulate material.
 25. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the bridging section is formed of a surface material, and the particulate material in the bridging section provides support for the surface material.
 26. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the bridging section contains material other than the particulate material.
 27. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the particulate material comprises beads, balls, beans, buckwheat, oats or any combination thereof. 